Tenth grade English students learn about the importance of stories
Mrs. Paroli’s tenth grade English class is reading Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave. The unit encourages students to consider the value of stories and the dignity of every human being.
“We discuss how stories are powerful and can be used to restore broken dignity and unify,” explains Ellen Paroli, tenth grade English teacher.
Guest speakers were invited to visit the class in hopes that students would learn how to listen to stories to see individual differences and experiences as well as commonalities and a shared humanity.
“Students have written reflections on the speakers’ thoughts, and the speaker series has proven to be a great addition to the unit,” reflects Paroli.
Dr. Pinkett Smith, director of diversity, Dr. Isiah Hill, twelfth grade boys chair, high school diversity coordinator, and science teacher, DiAndrea Brown, middle school counselor and life skills teacher, Orlena Encinas, kindergarten teaching assistant, and Indyasia Fowler, diversity support coordinator and science teacher, each spoke to the class to share about their own experiences concerning diversity.
“As students prepare for college, it is so important for them to consider the stories of others and think about what they may have walked through,” states Brown.
We are so honored that Wesleyan is a place made up of different stories and experiences, threaded together by care for the community and one another. Thank you, tenth grade English students, for carefully listening to and considering the stories of those around you.
